One-year entrance scholarships
No separate scholarship application is required. All first-time university students entering a full-time undergraduate degree program are automatically considered for a one-year scholarship if they meet the minimum academic requirements.
These scholarships are awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement.
Major entrance scholarships
A separate application that must be submitted soon after submitting your application for admission.
This single entrance scholarship application is used for consideration for all major entrance awards listed in the Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards Calendar.
Please note: The Undergraduate Scholarship and Awards Calendar is for information purposes only. There are no individual applications for specific entrance scholarships.
How to apply for major entrance scholarships
- After you submit your application for admission to McGill, you will receive an email acknowledging your application.
This email will provide you with your:- McGill ID number
- PIN used to log on to Minerva
- Log on to Minerva and go to: Applicant > Apply for Major Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship. Here is a sample preview of the application form (PDF). If you applied only to Law, you won’t receive a PIN to log on to Minerva. Contact the Law admissions office to apply for a Major Entrance scholarship.
- You will be prompted to provide specific information which may include some or all of the following:
- A factual list of your school activities and community/volunteer involvement for the last three academic years (including athletic/artistic and other activities)
- A general essay either on a contemporary or historical figure that influenced/inspired you, or on a memorable event/experience which provided you with a new outlook on life
- A one-page letter of reference that you have written – for yourself – in the third person
- Concerning grades and transcripts, please see McGill's Admission site.
- For applicants from high schools outside Canada and the U.S.A.: upload all your transcripts to Minerva.
- For US high school applicants (from a school located in the U.S.A.): self-report your grades in Minerva.
- Rest of Canada applicants: self-report your grades in Minerva.
- Ontario and Quebec applicants: wait for the marks from Ontario and Quebec governments.
- Your referees or school administrator must email your reference letters (and statements of rank, only if available) to [email protected] (and quote your McGill ID number). These documents must be:
- typed on official letterhead stationery
- duly signed and converted to PDF
Applications for major scholarships are reviewed by members of the selection committees that determine the finalists. Finalists may be interviewed.
Students who apply for, but do not receive, a major scholarship will automatically be considered for a one-year scholarship. No additional application is required.
- Concerning grades and transcripts, please see McGill's Admission site.
Applying for Entrance Scholarships
One-year entrance scholarships
No separate scholarship application is required. All first-time university students entering a full-time undergraduate degree program are automatically considered for a one-year scholarship if they meet the minimum academic requirements.
These scholarships are awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement.
Please note: you are not guaranteed a scholarship even if you meet the standards listed.
Major entrance scholarships
A separate application that must be submitted soon after submitting your application for admission.
This single entrance scholarship application is used for consideration for all major entrance awards listed in the Undergraduate Scholarships & Awards Calendar.
Please note: The Undergraduate Scholarship and Awards Calendar is for information purposes only. There are no individual applications for specific entrance scholarships.
Important! Do not wait to be admitted to McGill to apply for a scholarship. Apply by the following deadlines: applicants from a Quebec CEGEP - March 7; applicants from a school in the rest of Canada - February 7; applicants from a school outside of Canada - January 21.
How to apply for major entrance scholarships
- After you submit your application for admission to McGill, you will receive an email acknowledging your application.
This email will provide you with your:- McGill ID number
- PIN used to log on to Minerva
- Log on to Minerva and go to: Applicant > Apply for Major Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship. Here is a sample preview of the application form (PDF). If you applied only to Law, you won’t receive a PIN to log on to Minerva. Contact the Law admissions office to apply for a Major Entrance scholarship.
- You will be prompted to provide specific information which may include some or all of the following:
- A factual list of your school activities and community/volunteer involvement for the last three academic years (including athletic/artistic and other activities)
- A general essay either on a contemporary or historical figure that influenced/inspired you, or on a memorable event/experience which provided you with a new outlook on life
- A one-page letter of reference that you have written – for yourself – in the third person
- Concerning grades and transcripts, please see McGill's Admission site.
- For applicants from high schools outside Canada and the U.S.A.: upload all your transcripts to Minerva.
- For US high school applicants (from a school located in the U.S.A.): self-report your grades in Minerva.
- Rest of Canada applicants: self-report your grades in Minerva.
- Ontario and Quebec applicants: wait for the marks from Ontario and Quebec governments.
- Your referees or school administrator must email your reference letters (and statements of rank, only if available) to [email protected] (and quote your McGill ID number). These documents must be:
- typed on official letterhead stationery
- duly signed and converted to PDF
Applications for major scholarships are reviewed by members of the selection committees that determine the finalists. Finalists may be interviewed.
Students who apply for, but do not receive, a major scholarship will automatically be considered for a one-year scholarship. No additional application is required.
Deadlines and documentation
The supporting documentation required to apply for major entrance scholarships varies according to region, as do the deadlines for submission. Please refer to the following chart to find out what and when you need to submit:
| Applicant Type | Documents required | Scholarships Deadline | Admission deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicants from Quebec CEGEPs |
| March 7* | March 1 |
| Applicants from schools in Ontario and in the rest of Canada |
| February 7* | February 1 |
| Applicants from schools outside of Canada |
| January 21* | January 15 |
*All major entrance scholarship applications must be submitted online via Minerva, no later than midnight, Montreal time, on the deadline dates listed above. Any mailed documents must be postmarked no later than midnight of a given deadline. In the event that a deadline falls on a statutory holiday or weekend, the effective deadline will be the next business day.
Documentation requirements:
- Two letters of reference: One academic and one activity-related letter of reference. Letters should be typed on letterhead stationery, duly signed and converted to PDF, then submitted directly by the referees to [email protected].
- Ranking/Signed statement: A signed statement from your school indicating the size of your class and your class rank, if your school provides such information. All documents should be provided on school letterhead. Please note: If your school does not rank or if the class rank is available on a student's transcript, there is no need for any statement.
After submitting the documents:
Documents submitted to McGill University in support of an application to be admitted or considered for a scholarship including, but not limited to: transcripts, diplomas, letters of reference and test scores (in paper or electronic format), become the property of McGill University and will not be returned to the applicant or forwarded to another institution.
Applicant-reported/uploaded grades are verified against official grades from the school or examination board. Should significant discrepancies or irregularities arise, applicants may be required to provide an explanation at any point. McGill reserves the right to revoke admission, scholarship and financial support, and registration in cases of misrepresentation.
Notification of offers
Applicants should regularly consult Minerva – My Financial Aid & Awards – for updates on the status of their application.
Only those applicants who receive offers of entrance scholarships from the Scholarships and Student Aid will be notified via email, at the address provided on the admission application. The scholarship offer letter will be attached to the email as a PDF. The letters are on McGill letterhead and include a signature; they can be used for official purposes. No paper letters will be mailed to recipients.
It is important to:
- check your email regularly
- add the McGill domain (@mcgill.ca) to the safe senders list in your email program.
About McMaster University Canada
More information
For questions about your application for admission, please contact McGill’s Admissions Office.
For questions about your Major Entrance Scholarship application, please contact the Scholarships Office.
